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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 351-09
July 29, 2009

MAYOR BLOOMBERG, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY NAPOLITANO, POLICE COMMISSIONER KELLY AND MTA INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CEO WILLIAMS ANNOUNCE $35.9 MILLION IN RECOVERY ACT FUNDS TO HIRE POLICE OFFICERS TO PROTECT MASS TRANSIT

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano, Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and Metropolitan Transportation Authority Interim Executive Director and CEO Helena E. Williams today announced $35.9 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Transit Security Grant Program funding will be used to hire approximately 125 NYPD police officers to protect the City subway system from potential terrorist attack. The announcement was made at Grand Central Terminal.

“The police department has done an incredible job of securing our subways and buses at its current staffing levels, but we could always use more boots on the ground, because New York City remains a prime target for terrorists,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “We’re pleased that the Department of Homeland Security recognizes this, and that it also sees the wisdom in granting funding to an organization with a track record of success – and a proven ability to do more with less.”

“Securing our mass transit systems requires well-trained personnel on the ground to protect against those who seek to cause harm,” said Secretary Napolitano. “This Recovery Act money will create critical law enforcement jobs that will help our nation prevent terrorist attacks.”

“Terrorist attacks against mass transit around the world, including in Moscow, Madrid, Mumbai and London, demonstrate the vulnerability of mass transit and its appeal to terrorists as high-visibility targets,” said Commissioner Kelly.  “That’s why the NYPD established bag screening and a host of other measures to protect the millions that use the system every day. These efforts take police officers in significant numbers, which is why today’s announcement is so welcome.”

“The MTA Police Department’s partnership with the NYPD, the Department of Homeland Security, the TSA, and other agencies means that MTA customers are protected by the greatest law enforcement personnel in the world,” said Interim MTA Executive Director and CEO Williams. “Today’s announcement means we are working together to make the subway even safer and more secure.”

The funds, allocated by the Transportation Security Administration through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Fiscal Year 2009 Transit Security Grant Program, will be used by the NYPD to hire new police officers.

The grant money will fund Anti-Terrorism Teams, including overt and covert officers whose activities focus on terrorism prevention.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser/Jason Post   (212) 788-2958

Paul Browne (NYPD)   (646) 610-6700

Jeremy Soffin (MTA)   (212) 878-7145

Adam Fetcher (DHS)   (202) 282-8010




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